Electronic imaging in endoscopy.

Endoscopy evolved from a hollow tube view of visually restricted areas into an expansive, distal representation of the anatomy. Rod lens telescopes, improved coherent imaging bundles, superior light sources, and other optical advances enhanced endoscopic observations. Yet complicated endoscopic procedures remained visible to the endoscopist alone, relegating assistance and consultation to verbal description of sophisticated visual observation. Instrumentational advances alone did not promote three crucial elements: participation, cooperation and documentation. The importance of these elements has increased with the need for coordinated assistance in complex operative endoscopic manipulations, as well as in a visual record for improved documentation and consultation. New imaging technologies are supplanting the unwieldy, often daunting equipment once required for photodocumentation. The charged couple device (CCD) 2/3 and 1/2 in. "chip" video camera miniaturization provides nearly weightless TV coobservation. Distal chip placement has created the "video endoscope". Combined with the 8 mm tape format, the chip has created a lightweight, single unit camera, monitor, and recorder. A recent advantage, magnetic disc recording, permits still video storage of up to 25 images. An electronic printer produces a hard color copy (4 x 5), which is inserted in the chart before the patient leaves the endoscopy room. The cost of the equipment can be shared in multidisciplinary institutions.